Drywall is much like your skin in that it can develop some visible signs of age as the year’s progress.

Where you may develop lines and wrinkles, drywall can suffer cracks that if left untended can lead to some major issues. Cracks in the wall are incredibly unsightly, but the good news is that they are pretty easy to, even if you aren’t all that handy when it comes to DIY projects around the home. In just a few simple steps you can have a wall that looks as good as new again, without ever having to turn to the pros for help.

You don’t need very many supplies to complete this task, making it easy on the wallet. Some pre-mixed drywall compound, a utility knife, a putty knife, and a sander of some kind should be all that you need. Things could get a little messy during the project, so be sure to lay some plastic sheeting on the floor where you are working. You don’t want to finish one job only to start a major clean-up job because you didn’t take the time to protect your carpet or hardwood.

Repairing A Drywall Crack

1. The first thing that you need to do is run the utility knife through the crack in order to get out any loose particles that may have gathered inside. Don’t get too carried away while doing this as you don’t want to cause any further damage to the area.

2. Once you have completely cleaned out the crack it’s time to start adding the compound. Use the putty knife to apply the compound, doing so with firm diagonal strokes. Makes sure that the compound has completely filled the crack, and then remove any excess material from around the damaged area.

3. You may have to apply several thin coats in order to remove all traces of the crack, after which you should allow the area to dry for 24 hours.

4. Once the compound is completely dry, you can then go ahead and start sanding until you are left with a nice smooth surface. The best tool for the job is 150 grit sandpaper which will nicely finish off your repair to the point where you will never be able to see where the damage existed in the first place. Once you have cleaned up the area where you were working you’ll be left with a couple of choices. If you have leftover paint from when your walls were first done, you can simply give the repair a little touch up.

Alternatively you could take this opportunity to add a whole new color to your space, which you may feel like taking on after successfully completing your first DIY home improvement job. Have patience and work hard.